Incidental Contact (Those Devilish De Marco Men) by Eden Connor Page B

sit in a hot pool and watch it snow?”
    Clearing her throat, she tried to stall. “Really? You just got the fire going.”
    “Bawk, bawk. C’mon, Chicken Little. Let’s get wet.” Shaking his head, he unfastened the waistband on his jeans.
    She was already wet where it counted, but she held on to the hope he’d be less beautiful undressed. Less perfect. Just one physical flaw would make her feel less awkward about her many, but she knew better. Drew would’ve had a fit if he’d known how often she’d dropped by Lila’s while the brothers were adding a nursery onto Colton’s bungalow. After an hour or so of hammering nails and throwing two-by-fours around like toothpicks, the trio usually took off their shirts.
    He shoved his jeans and boxers down his hips as casually as she’d take off mittens. Dark hair dusted his calves and thighs. When he straightened, she jerked her gaze to his face, feeling like an uncoordinated teenager. Her other first time had been just as awkward.
    “I’ll spot you the underwear.” He grinned like he knew she wanted to check out his cock, but was too embarrassed. “For now.” He took her empty bowl, placing it on the table. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her off the couch. The effort made muscles ripple and bulge in his abdomen and her feet got tangled, but she righted herself before she banged into him.
    She expected to go to his bedroom, which had to be behind the kitchen, but he sauntered toward the stairs to the loft. She didn’t think he’d fit into a twin bed, but she followed. He flipped a light switch. All she could see was their reflection in a pair of glass doors she hadn’t noticed.
    He looked over his shoulder and waggled his brows, a gesture he often made, one that always made her laugh. She was being an idiot. Eric De Marco wanted to get naked—with her. How many women had she seen fight for that privilege tonight?
    “Double-dog dare ya.”
    Her competitive nature kicked in. He’d either be all talk, or every woman’s dream. Time to find out.
    “Okay.” She pulled off her shirt and pried loose the button on her jeans before she could change her mind. When he opened the door, a blast of cold air nearly made her run for the couch and the fire. She could see the snow coming down thick and fast, and not much else. The glow cast by the lamps didn’t penetrate far into the darkness.
    He turned and lifted her into his arms before stepping through the door. Unnerved by being manhandled all evening, Amy snapped. “I can walk, you know.”
    “But you’re so fuckin’ portable.” He rubbed the end of her nose with his. That damn grin melted her objections. “You can close the door.”
    She gave the door a shove and wrapped her arms around his neck, in case his arms gave out. Drew was Eric’s height, but he’d only made her feel short, while Eric made her feel delicate. The sensation was foreign to Amy. Being carried was weird enough. Being carried by a gorgeous, naked man into a romantic, snowy night added one more layer of unreality to this crazy evening. She closed her eyes, afraid when she opened them this time, the dream would end for good.
    When he stepped off the porch, snowflakes melted on her face and bare legs, making her snuggle closer to his chest. Her nipples hardened and her butt grew cold before he stopped moving. She opened her eyes, curious to see what kind of fiberglass big-boy toy he’d installed.
    The surprises just don’t stop.
    Massive, flat rocks formed a narrow patio in a small clearing. Though snow covered the ground, she could see the shapes of the stones because of the tufts of jutting grass in between. Tendrils of steam curled off the surface of an intimate pool, not much more than four feet across and perhaps seven feet long. This was no chlorine-filled hot tub. A light was submerged somewhere below, making the bluish-brown water glow. Thousands of tiny bubbles turned the pool milky. Close to the edge of the rough oval, the snow melted,